If you’re looking to join the Nigeria Police Force soon, there are specific requirements you should know. In this post, we have highlighted these recruitment requirements.
But first, let’s take a quick look at the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
The NPF was established in 1820 as the principal law enforcement agency in the country with a staff strength of about 371,800.
The first person to have the highest rank in the police force was the Commissioner General, Colonel KK.
In 1879 a 1,200-member armed paramilitary Hausa Constabulary was formed and in 1896 the Lagos Police was established. Another similar force, the Niger Coast Constabulary had been formed in Calabar two years earlier in 1894 under the newly proclaimed Niger Coast Protectorate.
In the North, the Royal Niger Company set up the Royal Niger Company Constabulary in 1888 and when the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were announced in the early 1900s, part of the Royal Niger Company Constabulary became the Northern Nigeria Police, and part of the Niger Coast Constabulary became the Southern Nigeria Police.
During the colonial times, most police were associated with local governments (native authorities) but after Nigeria became an independent nation, these forces were first regionalized and then nationalized.
At that time, the NPF performed conventional police functions and was responsible for internal security. Also, the force was involved in supporting the prison, immigration, and customs services; and for performing military duties within or outside Nigeria as directed.
In the mid-1980, there were plans to expand the force to 200,000 and by 1983, the strength of the NPF was almost 152,000. It was also reported that there were more than 1,300 police stations nationwide.
The 1999 constitution designated the Nigerian Police (NP) as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country. There was also constitutional provision for the establishment of separate NPF branches “forming part of the armed forces of the Federation or for their protection of harbours, waterways, railways and airfields. One of such branches was the Port Security Police which was reported to have between 1,500 and 12,000 in 1990.
The force is a very large organization with a presence in 36 State commands grouped into 12 zones and 7 administrative organs. The NPF maintains a three-tier administrative structure of departments, zonal and state commands. Below is a ranking of the NPF in descending order.
- Inspector General
- Deputy Inspector-General of Police
- Assistant Inspector-General of Police
- Commissioner of Police
- Deputy Commissioner of Police
- Assistant Commissioner of Police
- Chief Superintendent of Police
- Superintendent of Police
- Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Assistant Superintendent of Police
- Inspector of Police
- Sergeant Major
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Constable
As of 2018/2019, there are plans to increase the force to 650,000, adding 280,000 new recruits to the existing 370,000.
The authorities are planning to absorb 6,000 Nigerians in the 36 State Police Command Headquarters and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and according to a statement on its website, the force invites applications from suitably qualified Nigerians for enlistment into the NPF.
It is a nationwide recruitment of police constables and we have highlighted the general requirements below:
The most important requirement is your desire or passion for a career in the NPF. In addition, you must satisfy the following requirements:
Nationality: Be a Nigerian citizen by birth and possess National Identity Number (NIN).
Age: Must not be less than 18 years of age or more than 25 years of age.
Education: Must have an O’ Level Certificate at least Five (5) Credits level passes including Mathematics and English Language in not more than two sittings in WASSCE/GCE/N ECO/NABTEB.
Character: Must be of good character and must not have been convicted of any criminal offence.
Height: Must not be less than 1.67 metres in height for men and 1.64 metres for women.
Chest Measurement: Must not have less than 86cm (34 inches) expanded chest measurement (for men only).
Physical Features: Must not have any one of the following abnormalities or deformities:
- Speech Impediment, Knock Knees, Bow Legs, Bent Knees, Flat Feet, Deformed Hands which cannot perform the full functions of the hand, Tattoos, Bodily Scar, Defective Eyesight or Squint Eyes, Amputation of any part of the body, Gross Malformation of teeth, Protruding Navel.
- Pregnancy: Must not be pregnant at the time of Recruitment.
Financial Status: Must be free from any pecuniary embarrassment.
Guarantors’ Form: Must download and fill the Guarantors’ Form, presenting verifiable references from any two (2) of the following: Traditional Rulers, Magistrate, Local Government Chairman, Heads of Educational Institutions attended, Career Civil Servant not below the rank of Grade Level 12, Police Officer not below the rank of CSP, or Military Officer not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Possession of a valid National Drivers’ License is an added advantage.
If you have a university degree (B.sc), you’re also qualified for recruitment into the force. Also, you can also use a polytechnic degree like OND or HND certificate to apply to the NPF.
If you have an O-level certificate, kindly check policerecruitment.ng recruitment portal if your certificate is accepted. It is important you have your O-level certificate before you can fill and submit the NPF application form online.
The requirements for your application are summarized below:
- Age requirements start from 18 to 30 years depending on the position you’re applying for.
- Each applicant must have Nigerian citizenship.
- Each candidate should own a valid ID card (driving license, voter card, international passport).
- Applicants for the position of Constable are expected to have credits in English and Math.
- Candidates for Cadet Inspectors must have Advanced Level, Ordinary National Diploma, National Certificate in Education.
- For other positions, applicants should own a University degree or a Higher National Diploma.
You can learn more details by visiting NPF recruitment portal.
Once you have been shortlisted for the recruitment, an invitation letter will be sent to you with the date of screening sent to you.
You’re expected to present your letter at the venues, and your physical data and your authorization will be checked.
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